Camera mounted at rear of vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at the body surface. The vehicle element has a normal distance dimension relative to the body surface of the vehicle. The vehicle vision system includes an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of the vehicle for capturing images of a region external of the vehicle. An extender element is at the body surface and extends outwardly therefrom, and the vehicle element is disposed at an outer surface of the extender element, whereby the extender element extends the normal distance dimension of the vehicle element for accommodating the imaging device. The imaging device is disposed at least partially within the extender element, whereby the presence of the imaging device in the extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by the extender element and the vehicle element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims benefit of U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/765,797, filed Feb. 7, 2006, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to imaging systems for vehicles and, moreparticularly, to rear vision systems or back up aids for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a rearward facing camera or imaging sensor ordevice at a rear of a vehicle and with a generally rearward and downwardfield of view to capture images of the area immediately rearward of thevehicle for a rear vision system or back up aid system or the like.Examples of such rear vision devices and systems are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,005,974; 6,989,736; 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,396,397;6,201,642; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094;5,877,897; 6,097,023; and 6,498,620, and International Publication No.WO 2004/047421 A2, published Jun. 3, 2004, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Such devices andsystems perform adequately for their particular applications.

It has been suggested that such imaging devices be located at thelicense plate well or under the sill or overhang portion at the licenseplate well or recess, such as, for example, as is common on tail gatesor lift gates of SUVs, minivans or the like. However, it is desirablethat such rearward and substantially downward facing imaging devices begenerally centrally located at the rear of the vehicle, and manyvehicles have a trunk or lift gate release handle at the central regionof the sill or overhang portion, such that an imaging device cannot becentrally located at the recess or well of the rear license plate. Ithas been suggested to incorporate an imaging device in anextendable/retractable device so that the imaging device may extend orbe moved outward or rearward when it is desired to capture images so asto provide an enhanced rearward and downward field of view for theimaging device when so extended, and may retract within or partiallywithin the rear portion of the vehicle when not in use. Such devices aretypically costly and complicated devices and have not yet achievedwidespread commercialization.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved rear imagingsystem that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an imaging system with an imaging deviceat a rear portion of the vehicle and directed to have a generallyrearward and downward field of view. The imaging device is located at adecal or indicia of the vehicle, such as at a rear tail gate or deck lidhandle or the like, and may be located rearward of the rear surface ofthe tail gate or deck lid so as to provide a generally rearward anddownward field of view. The imaging device or camera is thus camouflagedor rendered covert or covertly located by utilizing the exterior trimelements of the vehicle that are readily accessible and that may bemodified or extended to accommodate the imaging device or camera.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a rear vision systemfor a vehicle includes an image processing device, a display device andan imaging device or sensor or camera. The imaging device is located ata rear portion of the vehicle and has a generally rearward andsubstantially downward field of view for capturing images of the areasubstantially immediately rearward of the vehicle. The imaging device ispositioned at least partially within an extender element that extendsfrom a rear surface of the vehicle. A vehicle emblem or decal orexterior trim component is attached to or included as part of the outeror rearward end or surface of the extender element so that the extenderelement is not readily noticeable or discernible by a person viewing therear of the vehicle.

The extender element and imaging device may be installed to the rear ofthe vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle. Optionally, the decal oremblem or exterior trim component of an existing vehicle may be removedfrom the rear portion of the vehicle, and the extender element andimaging device may be attached to the rear portion as an aftermarketdevice. The decal or emblem may be reattached to or replaced at theouter or rearward end or surface of the extender element, or a new decalor emblem may be included as part of the extender element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle visionsystem includes a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle elementgenerally at the body surface. The vehicle element defines at least oneof a styling feature and a functional feature of the vehicle and has anormal distance dimension relative to the body surface of the vehicle.An imaging device has an exterior field of view generally exterior ofthe vehicle, and captures images of a region external of the vehicle. Anextender element at the body surface extends outwardly therefrom, withthe vehicle element being disposed at an outer surface of the extenderelement. The extender element extends the normal distance dimension ofthe vehicle element for accommodating the imaging device. The imagingdevice is disposed at least partially within the extender element,whereby the presence of the imaging device in the extender element is atleast partially masked or camouflaged by the extender element and thevehicle element. The vehicle vision system includes a display device fordisplaying video images captured by the imaging device.

Optionally, the body surface is at a rear portion of the vehicle, andthe imaging device may have a generally rearward and downward field ofview, whereby the imaging device captures images of the areasubstantially immediately rearward of the vehicle. Optionally, thedisplay device may display images of the rearward and downward field ofview in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear.

Optionally, the extender element may be fixedly attached at body surfaceor the rear portion of the vehicle. Optionally, and desirably, theextender element may have a surface finish that substantially matches asurface finish of the body surface of the vehicle. Optionally, thevehicle element may be adhesively attached to the outer surface of theextender element.

Optionally, the vehicle element may comprise at least one of (i) avehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv) anexterior trim element of the vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle orlatch portion, (vi) a deck lid handle or latch portion, and (vii) alight bar element of the vehicle. Optionally, the vehicle element maycomprise a vehicle emblem, and the extender element may be shaped tosubstantially match a shape of the vehicle emblem so that the vehicleemblem substantially encompasses the outer surface of the extenderelement.

Optionally, the imaging device may comprise a pixelated imaging arrayhaving a plurality of light sensing photosensor pixels or elements, suchas a two dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elementsarranged on a semiconductor substrate. The imaging device may comprise amonochromatic imaging device or a black and white imaging device or acolor imaging device. Optionally, the imaging device may comprise a CMOSimaging device and/or a color CMOS imaging device.

Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging device for avehicle that may be positionable at a generally central location of arear portion of a vehicle, and that may provide a generally downward andrearward field of view at the rear of the vehicle. The imaging device isproud of or positioned outward from a rear portion of the vehicle sothat the downward field of view encompasses a portion of the rear of thevehicle, such as a vehicle bumper or the like. The imaging device may befixedly positioned at the body surface or rear of the vehicle and thusthe imaging system does not include costly and complex mechanicaldevices for extending and retracting the imaging device. The imagingdevice is positioned within an extender element that is substantiallyhidden or not readily noticeable or discernible by a person viewing therear of the vehicle, so that the present invention provides asubstantially concealed imaging device at a central region of the rearof the vehicle. A vehicle element, such as a functional element or astyling element, such as an exterior trim element or emblem or the like,is disposed at or attached to an outer surface of the extender elementto substantially conceal or render covert the extender element andimaging device.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating an imagingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the vehicle and imaging device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the imaging device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the imaging device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a lower plan view of the imaging device of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the components of an imaging system inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a lower plan view of the imaging device of the imaging systemof FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an imaging device or imaging sensor or camera 10 is located ata rear portion 12 a of a vehicle 12 and has a generally rearward anddownward field of view (FIGS. 1-5). As shown in FIGS. 1-5, imagingdevice 10 is located within a housing or encasement or extender elementor tube 14 that protrudes rearwardly from the rear portion of thevehicle and that has a vehicle element 16 thereon, such as a vehicleemblem or decal or indicia or the like, so that the imaging device isnot readily noticeable or discernible at the rear of the vehicle. Theimaging device 10 thus is disposed at a location that is proud of orrearward of the rear surface of the rear portion 12 a (such as atailgate or lift gate or deck lid or the like) of the vehicle 12, suchthat the imaging device 10 may be directed substantially downward tohave a field of view that encompasses the area immediately rearward ofthe vehicle and that includes a rear portion of the vehicle, such as arear bumper 12 b of the vehicle.

Typically, a vehicle will have a decal or emblem or indicia or label atthe rear of the vehicle (such as a decal identifying the manufacturer orline or type of the vehicle). The vehicle element or decal 16 istypically attached or adhered to the rear of the vehicle (such as, forexample, to a sill or trim portion 18 at the rear portion of the vehicleand establishing an overhang at the license plate recess or well 12 c).The vehicle element 16 may be adhered to the rear trim portion 18 via adouble-sided tape, or other means for adhering or attaching the decalmay be implemented depending on the particular application. The vehicleelement 16 thus may be removably attached to the rear of the vehicle,and may be removed therefrom, such as by a mechanic or a technician.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, imaging device 10 may be located withinextender element or tube 14, which may be a generally cylindrical,hollow casing that may extend generally rearwardly from the rear trimportion 18 or from the rear panel of the vehicle. In the illustratedembodiment, the extender element 14 is generally cylindrical togenerally match or correspond to the shape of the vehicle element 16 ofthe vehicle. However, the extender element may comprise any other shapedepending on the shape of the vehicle element or decal or indicia or thelike of the particular application of the imaging device and imagingsystem. For example, the extender element may be generallyrectangular-shaped for applications on a Volvo vehicle, where theindicia is “VOLVO” at the rear, generally central region of the decklid.

Thus, the vehicle element or emblem or decal 16 of a vehicle 12 may beremoved, and the extender element 14, with imaging device 10 positionedtherein, may be attached, such as via adhesive or welding or the like,to the rear portion 12 a or rear surface or trim portion 18 of thevehicle. Optionally, a recess or aperture may be formed in the rearportion or trim portion for receiving the extender element at leastpartially therein to attach the extender element to the vehicle. When soattached, the extender element 14 protrudes rearwardly from the rearportion 12 a of the vehicle so that the imaging device may be positionedrearward of the rear surface of the rear portion of the vehicle with agenerally downward field of view. The emblem or decal or vehicle element16 may be attached or adhered to the outer surface or outer end 14 a ofthe extender element 14, so that the extender element is partiallyhidden by the emblem or decal or vehicle element, and the extenderelement and imaging device are thus not readily noticeable ordiscernible at the rear of the vehicle. For example, the original emblemor decal or the like may be reattached to the extender element or a newemblem or decal or the like may be attached to the extender element andthus may replace the original emblem or decal or the like.

The extender element 14 may comprise any suitable material, such as ametallic material or a polymeric material, and may be painted or coloredto match the rear portion of the vehicle or the trim portion or theemblem or decal of the vehicle. Preferably, the outer side surface orsurfaces and the rearward end surface of the extender element arefinished to substantially match the surface finish of the rear portionof the vehicle or the trim portion (depending on where the imagingdevice and extender are attached and where the emblem or decal areattached to the vehicle), so that the extender element is not readilynoticeable or discernible at the rear portion of the vehicle. Becausethe extender element 14 extends rearwardly from the rear portion of thevehicle, the extender element may be positioned at a generally centralregion of the rear portion of the vehicle, and will not interfere with ahandle or latch or light or the like at the license plate well or recessat the rear of the vehicle.

The vehicle element may comprise any suitable element that providescamouflage at or renders covert the imaging device at the rear portionof the vehicle. For example, the vehicle element (that is attached to oradhered to or disposed at the outer portion of the extender element) maycomprise a vehicle emblem or logo, a vehicle decal, a vehicle indicia,an exterior trim element of the vehicle, a rear tail gate handle orlatch portion, a deck lid handle or latch portion, and/or a light barelement of the vehicle and/or the like. Optionally, for applicationswhere the vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem or logo or decal orthe like, the extender element may be shaped to substantially match ashape of the vehicle emblem or logo or decal so that the vehicle emblemor logo or decal substantially encompasses the outer surface of theextender element.

The imaging device may be secured within the extender element, with itslens positioned at or near a lower surface of the extender element (whenthe extender element is attached to the vehicle). A hole or passagewaymay be formed through the rear portion or panel and/or trim portion ofthe vehicle so that any wiring associated with the imaging device may berouted from the imaging device and extender element to the vehicle andto the control or image processor of the associated imaging system. Theimaging device thus may be installed at the rear of the vehicle and maybe wired or electrically connected to a control or processor of thevehicle, and may be installed and connected during manufacture of thevehicle or as an aftermarket device or system.

Optionally, and desirably, the imaging device may comprise a pixelatedimaging array having a plurality of light sensing photosensor pixels orelements, such as a two dimensional array of light sensing photosensorelements arranged on a semiconductor substrate. The imaging device maycomprise a monochromatic imaging device or a black and white imagingdevice or a color imaging device or the like. Optionally, the imagingdevice may comprise a CMOS imaging device and/or a color CMOS imagingdevice, such as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems and imagingdevices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,736; 6,757,109; 6,717,610;6,396,397; 6,201,642; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,396,397; 5,550,677;5,670,935; 5,796,094; 5,877,897; 6,097,023; and 6,498,620, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 by Schofieldet al. for VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,339,149; Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki etal. for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,038,577; Ser. No. 10/534,632, filed May 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,965,336; and/or Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 byHiggins-Luthman for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,720,580, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

As shown in FIG. 6, the imaging device 10 may be associated with animaging system 20 having a display device or element 22 at an interiorportion of the vehicle for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Forexample, and desirably, the display element may be located at aninterior rearview mirror assembly 24. The imaging system 20 may processimages captured by the imaging device 10 and may display the videoimages at the display device 22 at the mirror assembly 24 for viewing bythe driver of the vehicle, such as display devices of the typesdescribed below. The image data may be communicated from the imagingdevice to the display device (or to an image processor or the like) viaany suitable communication link or protocol. For example, the imagingdevice and the display device may communicate or output and receivesignals utilizing aspects of the systems described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,881,496; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/628,709,filed Nov. 17, 2004 by Camilleri et al. for IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEMFOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004; Ser. No.60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubinger for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

The imaging device thus may be located at a generally central region ofthe vehicle and may be positioned so as to have a generally orsubstantially downward field of view so as to capture images of the areaimmediately rearward of the vehicle. The field of view of the imagingdevice may include a rear portion of the vehicle, such as a rear bumperof the vehicle or the like, so as to provide a reference for the driverwhen viewing the video images within the vehicle, such as during reversemaneuvering of the vehicle. The imaging device thus may be covertlydisposed at the rear of the vehicle so as to be substantiallycamouflaged or rendered covert, while protruding a sufficient amountrearward of the rear surface of the rear of the vehicle so as to providea generally downward and rearward field of view for capturing images ofthe area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle, such as fora back up assist system and display. The imaging device and/or a lens orhousing or other elements associated with the imaging device may utilizeaspects of the imaging devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,736;6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,396,397; 6,201,642; 6,353,392; 6,313,454;6,396,397; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 5,877,897; 6,097,023; and6,498,620, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/534,632, filed May11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,965,336, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2006/041709, filed Oct. 27, 2006, published on Dec. 31, 2008, asInternational Publication No. WO 2007/053404, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the imaging device and/or the display device may beactivated to capture and display images of the rearward and downwardfield of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reversegear. Thus, the display may be episodically actuated only when it isdesired or appropriate to display the area immediately rearward of thevehicle, such as when the driver is performing rearward drivingmaneuvers, and may be deactivated when it is no longer suitable fordisplaying the rearward images, such as when the driver shifts thevehicle into a forward gear for forward driving.

The display or display device preferably comprises a video displaydevice for displaying video images of the scene substantiallyimmediately rearward of the vehicle. For example, the video displaydevice of the imaging system may comprise an LCD type back lit videodisplay, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,487; PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published on Jul. 15, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 04/05854; PCT Application No.PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. published onApr. 23, 2009, as International Publication No. WO 2007/053710; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,370,983; and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No.60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHVIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005; Ser. No.60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY; and/or Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 8,2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. As shown in FIG. 6, display device 22 may comprise aslide-out, extendable/retractable display device, such as the typesdescribed in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published onJul. 15, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/058540, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,370,983; and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No.60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHVIDEO DISPLAY, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

In addition, placing a video screen in a mirror assembly (and behind themirror reflective element so that the display is transmitted through thereflective element for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle) is known,and it is also known to covertly locate the video screens behind thereflective element to provide a DOD (Display-on-Demand) display throughthe transflective reflective element, such that the presence of thevideo screen is only noticeable or discernible when the video screen isactivated, such as by utilizing aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501;Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190;Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORYSYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.US-2006-0050018; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner etal. and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008;Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983,and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 byDonnelly Corp., published on Apr. 23, 2009, as International PublicationNo. WO 20071053710, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Optionally, an anti-reflection coating may be disposed at the frontsurface of the reflective element and at the display area to reduce thefirst surface reflection at the display area to reduce display washout,such as by utilizing aspects described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,674;and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/0427818, filed Oct. 31, 2006 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH DISPLAY,published on Apr. 23, 2009, as International Publication No. WO2007/053710; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/759,992,filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY, and/or Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 11, 2006,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the video display screen may comprise a scanning beamdisplay system that includes a plurality of laser light sources ordiodes, a controller and a micro-electromechanical scanner (MEMS), suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,487; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar.23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other means may beimplemented to provide a display screen at the mirror assembly thatachieves reduced display washout on a sunny day, such as described inPCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 by DonnellyCorp. et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH DISPLAY, published onApr. 23, 2009, as International Publication No. WO 2007/053710; and/orU.S. provisional applications, U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan.18, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHDISPLAY, and/or Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 11, 2006, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally,for example, a video slide-out mirror may be provided that includes avideo display screen that slides out or otherwise extends to a viewableposition when it is activated, such as a video mirror of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983;and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 and published Mar. 9,2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018; PCT Application No.PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published on Jul. 15, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 04/058540, and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by Lynam et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; and Ser. No. 60/667,048, filedMar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As discussed above, the mirror assembly may be utilized with a videoslide-out mirror, such as the types described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983;and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 and published Mar. 9,2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018; PCT Application No.PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published on Jul. 15, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 04/058540, and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by Lynam et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; and Ser. No. 60/667,048, filedMar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Further, when such a vehicle equipped with such a video mirror is alsoequipped with a side viewing or front viewing or rear viewing sensorvision system (such as by utilizing a radar sensor or an ultrasonicsensor or a camera sensor (such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577;and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496; and/or Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580, and/or U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004 by Camilleri et al. for IMAGINGAND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30,2004; Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubinger for VEHICLEIMAGING SYSTEM; and/or Ser. No. 60/638,687, filed Dec. 23, 2004 byHiggins-Luthman for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) to monitoran area adjacent the vehicle), the video screen may automatically extendwhen such a sensor system detects the presence of an obstacle and/or ahuman adjacent to the vehicle. Also, the video display screen may extendin conjunction with a trailer-hitch monitoring system (such as the typesdescribed in U.S. patent types described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al. for VEHICLEIMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and icons and/orindicia and/or instructions may be created on the video image displayedon the extended video screen of the video mirror to assist or guide thedriver to hitch a trailer to the trailer hitch of the vehicle.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more user actuatableinputs or input devices or human machine interfaces. For example, theinputs or user interfaces may include buttons, such as are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,501,387; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/451,639, filed Jun. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,403; and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/690,401, filed Jun. 14, 2005;Ser. No. 60/719,482, filed Sep. 22, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 60/749,423,filed Dec. 12, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties, or that include touch/proximity sensors such as aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; and6,627,918, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/817,874, filed Mar.26, 2001 by Quist et al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,324, and PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611,filed Dec. 19, 2003, published on Jul. 15, 2004, as InternationalPublication No. WO 04/058540, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties, or that include other types of buttons orswitches, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/029,695, filed Jan. 5, 2005 by Lindahl et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,723; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser.No. 60/556,259, filed Mar. 25, 2004; Ser. No. 60/553,517, filed Mar. 16,2004; and Ser. No. 60/535,559, filed Jan. 9, 2004; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, published Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/10377282, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or that includefabric-made position detectors, such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258; and 6,369,804,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.The manual inputs or user actuatable inputs or actuators may control oradjust or activate/deactivate one or more accessories or elements orfeatures. For touch sensitive inputs or applications or switches, themirror assembly or accessory module or input may, when activated,provide a positive feedback (such as activation of an illuminationsource or the like, or such as via an audible signal, such as a chime orthe like, or a tactile or haptic signal, or a rumble device or signal orthe like) to the user so that the user is made aware that the input wassuccessfully activated.

The rearview mirror assembly may comprise an electro-optic orelectrochromic reflective element or cell, such as an electrochromicmirror assembly and electrochromic reflective element utilizingprinciples disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268;5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360;5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012;5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407; 4,824,221;5,818,636; 6,166,847; 6,111,685; 6,392,783; 6,710,906; 6,798,556;6,554,843; 6,420,036; 6,286,965; 6,196,688; 5,535,056; 5,751,489;6,065,840 and/or 4,712,879, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTINGSYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19,2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,338,177; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,184,190; and/or Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,255,451, and/or International Pat. Publication Nos. WO2004/098953, published Nov. 18, 2004; WO 2004/042457, published May 21,2004; WO 2003/084780, published Oct. 16, 2003; and/or WO 2004/026633,published Apr. 1, 2004, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties, and/or as disclosed in the followingpublications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/NightMirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “SmartWindows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N.R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of ChromogenicMaterials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices forTransmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., OpticalEngineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

The transparent conductive layer or layers at the second and thirdsurfaces of the reflective element may comprise any suitable transparentconductive coatings or layers, such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) ordoped (antimony or fluorine doped) tin oxide or doped zinc oxide (suchas aluminum-doped zinc oxide) or an ITO/thin Ag/ITO stack or an ITO/thinAl/ITO stack or a thin (preferably, less than about 200 angstroms inphysical thickness; more preferably less than about 150 angstroms thick;most preferably less than about 125 angstroms thick; and greater thanabout 75 angstroms thick, more preferably greater than about 85angstroms thick and most preferably greater than about 100 angstromsthick) coating of silver (or a silver alloy) sandwiched between ITO ordoped zinc oxide layers or a thin coating of aluminum (or an aluminumalloy) sandwiched between ITO or doped zinc oxide layers or a thincoating of platinum or palladium (or an alloy thereof) sandwichedbetween ITO or doped zinc oxide layers or a thin coating of ruthenium(or a ruthenium alloy) sandwiched between ITO or doped zinc oxidelayers, or such as the conductive layers described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,668,663; 5,142,406; 5,442,478 and 5,724,187, and/or in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam etal. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTICMIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filedMar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filedMay 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filedJun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018; Ser. No.11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S.Publication No. US-2006-0061008; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19,2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filedNov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or in PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forMIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, published on Apr. 1, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 04/026633; and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, published May 21, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/042457, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror reflector element may include a metal borderelectrical conductor band (such as disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 asU.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008; and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 16, 2006, published Jul. 5, 2007, asInternational Publication No. WO 2006/124682; and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/681,250, filed May 16, 2005; Ser. No.60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/695,149, filed Jun. 29,2005; Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct. 26, 2005; Ser. No. 60/750,199,filed Dec. 14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/774,449, filed Feb. 17, 2006; and Ser.No. 60/783,496, filed Mar. 18, 2006, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties) around and preferably fullycircumscribing the border perimeter of the second surface of the frontsubstrate so that there is a highly conductive all-around electricallyconductive raceway around the ITO (or similar transparent electronicconductor coating or coatings) on the second surface of the frontsubstrate. Flush or near-flush constructions are preferred (such asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23,2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No.7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,184,190; and/or Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and publishedMar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and use of amaximum powering voltage of at least about 1.3 volts is preferred, morepreferred at least about 1.35V and most preferred at least about 1.4V.Also, the composition and optical thickness and optical constants(including refractive index) of the transparent conductor (such as ITO)used on the second surface of the front substrate is selected andadapted to minimize any visible light reflectance off this secondsurface interface (and if beneficial, additional anti-reflection layersand means, as known in the optical arts, can be used to reduce oreliminate such second surface reflections). Transmission through the ECmedium for such very dark dimming interior mirror EC cells is preferablyless than about 13% T, more preferably less than about 8% T and mostpreferably is less than about 3% T when fully dimmed under the maximumapplied voltage delivered by the EC mirror element powering circuitry ofthe automatic dimming interior mirror assembly. Note that aspects ofsuch improvements in delivery of darker dimming electrically variablereflectivity interior automotive mirrors may also be applied toelectrically variable reflectance automotive exterior mirrors.

Although shown and described as an electro-optic or electrochromicelectro-optic element assembly or cell, the reflective element maycomprise a single substrate (and thus only having a first surface and asecond surface) with a reflective coating at its rear (second) surface,without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, themirror assembly may comprise a prismatic mirror element or other mirrorelement having a single substrate reflective element, such as a mirrorassembly utilizing aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870;6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371; and 4,435,042;and PCT Application No. PCT/US04/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by DonnellyCorporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, published Dec. 2,2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/103772; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,249,860, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. Optionally, the reflective element may comprise aconventional prismatic or flat reflective element or prism, or maycomprise a prismatic or flat reflective element of the types describedin PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, published Apr. 1,2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/026633; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/709,434, filed May 5, 2004 by Lynam for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,756; Ser. No. 10/528,269,filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/933,842,filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec.23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,255,451; and/or Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynamfor MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,338,177, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, publishedDec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/103772, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. A variety of mirroraccessories and constructions are known in the art, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,136; 5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482;6,227,675; 6,229,319; and 6,315,421 (the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein), that can benefit from thepresent invention.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more displays at thereflective element or elsewhere at the mirror assembly, such as displaysof the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,and/or display-on-demand or transflective type displays, such as thetypes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187,and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22,2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,195,381; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,184,190; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S.Publication No. US-2006-0050018; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14,2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.US-2006-0061008; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,338,177; Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,370,983; and/or Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabeet al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451;and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, publishedApr. 1, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/026633; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, published May 21,2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/042457; and/or U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004 byLynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No.60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHVIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/629,926, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by McCabe et al.for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL; Ser. No.60/531,838, filed Dec. 23, 2003; Ser. No. 60/553,842, filed Mar. 17,2004; Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004; Ser. No. 60/681,250,filed May 16, 2005; Ser. No. 60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005; Ser. No.60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005; Ser. No. 60/717,093, filed Sep. 14,2005; Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct. 26, 2005 by Baur for VEHICLEMIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVE ELEMENT; Ser. No. 60/750,199,filed Dec. 14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/774,449, filed Feb. 17, 2006; and Ser.No. 60/783,496, filed Mar. 18, 2006; Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1,2005; and/or Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Weller et al.for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY, and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published Jul. 15, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 04/058540, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 16, 2006, published Jul. 15, 2007, asInternational Publication No. WO 2006/124682, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH DISPLAY, published Apr. 23, 2009, asInternational Publication No. WO 2007/053710, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may support one or more otheraccessories or features, such as one or more electrical or electronicdevices or accessories. For example, illumination sources or lights,such as map reading lights or one or more other lights or illuminationsources, such as illumination sources of the types disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994;5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096;6,042,253; 6,971,775; and/or 5,669,698, and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381;and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, may beincluded in the mirror assembly. The illumination sources and/or thecircuit board may be connected to one or more buttons or inputs foractivating and deactivating the illumination sources. Optionally, themirror assembly may also or otherwise include other accessories, such asmicrophones, such as analog microphones or digital microphones or thelike, such as microphones of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975, and/or in PCT Application No.PCT/US03/308877, filed Oct. 1, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forMICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published Apr. 15, 2004, as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/032568, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Optionally, the mirror assembly may alsoor otherwise include other accessories, such as a telematics system,speakers, antennas, including global positioning system (GPS) orcellular phone antennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, acommunication module, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, avoice recorder, a blind spot detection and/or indication system, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,038,577; Ser. No. 10/209,173, filed Jul. 31, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,882,287; and Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 byHiggins-Luthman for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,720,580; and/or Ser. No. PCT/US06/026148, filed Jul. 6, 2006,published Apr. 16, 2009, as International Publication No. WO2007/005942; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/638,687,filed Dec. 23, 2004; Ser. No. 60/784,570, filed Mar. 22, 2006; and/orSer. No. 60/696,953, filed Jul. 6, 2005, a docking station and/ormultimedia display, such as the types described in U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/879,619, filed Jan. 10, 2007; Ser. No.60/850,700, filed Oct. 10, 2006; and U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/847,502, filed Sep. 27, 2006 by Kramer for MULTIMEDIA MIRRORASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, transmitters and/or receivers, such as for agarage door opener or a vehicle door unlocking system or the like (suchas a remote keyless entry system), a digital network, such as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller, such as acamera-based headlamp control, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, an imagingsystem or components or circuitry or display thereof, such as an imagingand/or display system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268and 6,847,487; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004; Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14,2004; Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004; Ser. No. 60/644,903,filed Jan. 11, 2005; Ser. No. 60/667,049, filed Mar. 31, 2005; and/orU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,526,103; and/or Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496, a video device for internal cabinsurveillance (such as for sleep detection or driver drowsiness detectionor the like) and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a heating element, particularlyfor an exterior mirror application, such as the types described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/334,139, filed Jan. 18, 2006, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,400,435, a remote keyless entry receiver, a seat occupancydetector, a remote starter control, such as the types described in U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/859,680, filed Nov. 17, 2006, a yawsensor, a clock, a carbon monoxide detector, status displays, such asdisplays that display a status of a door of the vehicle, a transmissionselection (4wd/2wd or traction control (TCS) or the like), an antilockbraking system, a road condition (that may warn the driver of icy roadconditions) and/or the like, a trip computer, a tire pressure monitoringsystem (TPMS) receiver (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647;6,294,989; 6,445,287; 6,472,979; and/or 6,731,205; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/232,324, filed Sep. 21, 2005 by O'Brien et al.for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,522; and/or U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/611,796, filed Sep. 21, 2004),and/or an ONSTAR® system and/or any other accessory or circuitry or thelike (with all of the above-referenced patents and PCT and U.S. patentapplications and U.S. provisional applications being commonly assignedto Donnelly Corporation, and with the disclosures of the referencedpatents and patent applications and provisional applications beinghereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

Optionally, the mirror assembly may incorporate or accommodate or beassociated with other accessories, such as a compass sensor or system,such as a compass or compass system of the types described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/305,637, filed Dec. 16, 2005 by Blank etal. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No.7,329,013; Ser. No. 10/352,691, filed Jan. 28, 2003 by Schierbeek et al.for VEHICLE COMPASS COMPENSATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,902; Ser. No.11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983; Ser. No.11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S.Publication No. US-2006-0061008; and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep.3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,004,593; 4,546,551;5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410;5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,222,460; 5,255,442;6,173,501; 6,427,349; 6,278,271; 5,942,895; 6,184,679; 6,513,252; and6,642,851, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, publishedDec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 04/103772, and/orEuropean patent application, published Oct. 11, 2000 under PublicationNo. EP 01043566; and/or PCT Publication No. WO 2004/076971 A2, publishedSep. 10, 2004, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may accommodate other accessories orcircuitry or the like as well, such as a rain sensor or imaging deviceor the like. For example, the mirror assembly may include a mountingportion (such as the types described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S.Publication No. US-2006-0061008; and/or U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/692,113, filed Jun. 20, 2005; Ser. No. 60/677,990, filed May5, 2005; Ser. No. 60/653,787, filed Feb. 17, 2005; Ser. No. 60/642,227,filed Jan. 7, 2005; Ser. No. 60/638,250, filed Dec. 21, 2004; Ser. No.60/624,091, filed Nov. 1, 2004, and Ser. No. 60/609,642, filed Sep. 14,2004, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties), and may include a rain sensor or the like and may positionthe rain sensor against the windshield, such as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,250,148; 6,341,523; and 6,824,281, and in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/023,162, filed Dec. 17, 2001 by Lynam for RAIN SENSOR MOUNTFOR USE IN A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,664; Ser. No. 10/348,514,filed Jan. 21, 2003 by Lynam for RAIN SENSOR MOUNTING SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,968,736; and Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4, 2004 bySchofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,188,963, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. Optionally, the mirror assembly may include an imagingdevice, such as an imaging array sensor for imaging systems of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,736; 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,396,397;6,201,642; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,396,397; 5,550,677; 5,670,935;5,796,094; 5,877,897; 6,097,023; and 6,498,620, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 by Schofield et al.for VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR, now U.S. Pat. No.7,339,149; Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al.for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577;and/or Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 by Higgins-Luthman forOBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle vision system, said vehiclevision system comprising: a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicleelement generally at said rear surface, said vehicle element comprisingat least one of an emblem of said vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and adecal of said vehicle; an imaging device comprising a lens, said imagingdevice having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearwardof said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external andrearward of said vehicle; an extender element fixedly disposed at saidrear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said vehicleelement is fixedly disposed at an outer surface of said extenderelement, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element fromsaid rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging devicebehind said vehicle element; wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, saidimaging device is disposed within said extender element with said lenspositioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element andbetween said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, andwherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward fieldof view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of saidextender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable ofextending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to saidrear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imagingdevice are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle; wherein saidextender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of saidvehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompassessaid outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extenderelement, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readilynoticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and a display device within saidvehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device. 2.The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element andsaid extender are fixedly disposed at a generally central region at therear of said vehicle.
 3. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, whereinsaid imaging device captures video images of the area substantiallyimmediately rearward of said vehicle.
 4. The vehicle vision system ofclaim 3, wherein said display device displays images of the rearward anddownward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into areverse gear.
 5. The vehicle vision system of claim 4, wherein saidimaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.
 6. Thevehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element ispositioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle,and wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device andwherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video displaydevice.
 7. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extenderelement has a surface finish that substantially matches a surface finishof said rear surface of said vehicle.
 8. The vehicle vision system ofclaim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem.
 9. Thevehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprisesa vehicle logo.
 10. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein saidvehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of saidextender element.
 11. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein saidvehicle element comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) avehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv) an exterior trim element ofsaid vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lidhandle portion, and (vii) a light bar element of said vehicle.
 12. Thevehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprisesat least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imagingdevice.
 13. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision systemcomprising: a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle elementgenerally at said rear surface; wherein said vehicle element comprisesat least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) avehicle indicia, (iv) an exterior trim element of said vehicle, (v) arear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lid handle portion, and (vii)a light bar element of said vehicle; an imaging device comprising alens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generallyexterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturingvideo images external and rearward of said vehicle; an extender elementfixedly attached at said rear surface and protruding outwardlytherefrom, wherein said vehicle element is disposed at an outer surfaceof said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing saidvehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodatesaid imaging device behind said vehicle element; wherein, as mounted atsaid vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extenderelement with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of saidextender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surfaceof said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generallydownward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle fromsaid lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extenderelement is incapable of extending such that said imaging device isnon-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when saidextender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rearsurface of said vehicle; wherein said extender element is shaped tosubstantially match the shape of said vehicle element so that saidvehicle element substantially encompasses said outer surface of saidextender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence ofsaid imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear ofsaid vehicle; and a display device within said vehicle for displayingvideo images captured by said imaging device.
 14. The vehicle visionsystem of claim 13, wherein said vehicle element and said extender arefixedly disposed at a generally central region at the rear of saidvehicle, and wherein said imaging device captures video images of thearea substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.
 15. The vehiclevision system of claim 14, wherein said display device displays videoimages of the rearward and downward field of view in response to thevehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and wherein said imagingdevice comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.
 16. The vehiclevision system of claim 13, wherein said vehicle element is adhesivelyattached to said outer surface of said extender element.
 17. The vehiclevision system of claim 13, wherein said imaging device comprises atleast one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imagingdevice.
 18. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision systemcomprising: a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle elementgenerally at said rear surface; an imaging device comprising a lens,said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exteriorand rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video imagesexternal and rearward of said vehicle; an extender element fixedlyattached at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom,wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surface ofsaid extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing saidvehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodatesaid imaging device behind said vehicle element; wherein said vehicleelement comprises a vehicle emblem; wherein, as mounted at said vehicle,said imaging device is disposed within said extender element with saidlens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element andbetween said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, andwherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward fieldof view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of saidextender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable ofextending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to saidrear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imagingdevice are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle; wherein saidextender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of saidvehicle emblem so that said vehicle emblem substantially encompassessaid outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extenderelement, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readilynoticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and a display device within saidvehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device. 19.The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said vehicle element andsaid extender are fixedly disposed at a generally central region at therear of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device captures videoimages of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.20. The vehicle vision system of claim 19, wherein said display devicedisplays video images of the rearward and downward field of view inresponse to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and whereinsaid imaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle. 21.The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said vehicle element isadhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element. 22.The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said imaging devicecomprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a colorCMOS imaging device.
 23. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device protrudes through a casing of said extender element.24. The vehicle vision system of claim 23, wherein said casing comprisesa generally cylindrical, hollow casing.
 25. The vehicle vision system ofclaim 1, wherein said field of view encompasses a rear portion of saidvehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of said vehicle whenviewing video images captured by said imaging device.
 26. The vehiclevision system of claim 25, wherein said extender element is positionedat a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle.
 27. Thevehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element ispositioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle.28. The vehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender elementis positioned at a rear license plate region of said vehicle.
 29. Thevehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element ispositioned above a rear license plate region of said vehicle.
 30. Thevehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element ispositioned at a rear light bar of said vehicle.
 31. The vehicle visionsystem of claim 27, wherein said extender element is positioned at arear handle of said vehicle.
 32. The vehicle vision system of claim 1,wherein said extender element is formed of a polymeric material.
 33. Thevehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element isformed of a metallic material.
 34. The vehicle vision system of claim 1,wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device and whereinsaid display device comprises a backlit LCD video display device. 35.The vehicle vision system of claim 34, wherein said backlit LCD videodisplay device is located at an interior mirror assembly of saidvehicle.
 36. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said rearsurface comprises a trim portion of said vehicle.
 37. The vehicle visionsystem of claim 1, wherein said extender element has an upper portionhaving a first length dimension and a lower portion having a secondlength dimension, and wherein said second length dimension is longerthan said first length dimension, and wherein said lower surface of saidextender element at which said lens is positioned at or near is at saidlower portion.
 38. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision systemcomprising: a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle elementgenerally at said rear surface, said vehicle element comprising at leastone of an emblem of said vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and a decal ofsaid vehicle; an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging devicehaving an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of saidvehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external andrearward of said vehicle, wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOSimaging device; an extender element fixedly disposed at said rearsurface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said extenderelement is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of saidvehicle, and wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at anouter surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedlyspacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle toaccommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element; wherein, asmounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within saidextender element and protrudes through a casing of said extender elementwith said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extenderelement and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of saidvehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward andrearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lowersurface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element isincapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movablerelative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender elementand said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of saidvehicle; wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially matchthe shape of said vehicle element so that said vehicle elementsubstantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element,whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging devicetherein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and adisplay device within said vehicle for displaying video images capturedby said imaging device, wherein said display device comprises a backlitLCD video display device.
 39. The vehicle vision system of claim 38,wherein said casing comprises a generally cylindrical, hollow casing.40. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said field of viewencompasses a rear portion of said vehicle so as to provide a referencefor a driver of said vehicle when viewing video images captured by saidimaging device.
 41. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein saidextender element is positioned at a rear license plate region of saidvehicle.
 42. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein saidextender element is positioned above a rear license plate region of saidvehicle.
 43. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein saidextender element is positioned at a rear light bar of said vehicle. 44.The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element ispositioned at a rear handle of said vehicle.
 45. The vehicle visionsystem of claim 38, wherein said extender element is formed of apolymeric material.
 46. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, whereinsaid extender element is formed of a metallic material.
 47. The vehiclevision system of claim 38, wherein said backlit LCD video display deviceis located at an interior mirror assembly of said vehicle.
 48. Thevehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said rear surface comprises atrim portion of said vehicle.
 49. The vehicle vision system of claim 38,wherein said extender element has an upper portion having a first lengthdimension and a lower portion having a second length dimension, andwherein said second length dimension is longer than said first lengthdimension, and wherein said lower surface of said extender element atwhich said lens is positioned at or near is at said lower portion.
 50. Avehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising: a vehiclehaving a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rearsurface, said vehicle element comprising at least one of an emblem ofsaid vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and a decal of said vehicle; animaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exteriorfield of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, saidimaging device capturing video images external and rearward of saidvehicle; an extender element fixedly disposed at said rear surface andprotruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said extender element ispositioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle,and wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surfaceof said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing saidvehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodatesaid imaging device behind said vehicle element; wherein, as mounted atsaid vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extenderelement and protrudes through a casing of said extender element withsaid lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender elementand between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle,and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearwardfield of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface ofsaid extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable ofextending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to saidrear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imagingdevice are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle; wherein saidextender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of saidvehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompassessaid outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extenderelement, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readilynoticeable at the rear of said vehicle; wherein said extender elementhas an upper portion having a first length dimension and a lower portionhaving a second length dimension, and wherein said second lengthdimension is longer than said first length dimension, and wherein saidlower surface of said extender element at which said lens is positionedat or near is at said lower portion; a display device within saidvehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device,wherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video displaydevice; and wherein said display device displays images of the rearwardand downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted intoa reverse gear and wherein said imaging device comprises a rear backupcamera of said vehicle.
 51. The vehicle vision system of claim 50,wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device and whereinsaid extender element is formed of a polymeric material.
 52. The vehiclevision system of claim 51, wherein said vehicle element comprises avehicle emblem.
 53. The vehicle vision system of claim 51, wherein saidvehicle element comprises a vehicle logo.